Synchronized control system for machine guns



March 18, 1930. R. c. coUPLAND 1,750,706

SYNCHRONIZED CONTROL SYSTEM FOR MACHINE GUNS Original Filed Aug. l, 1927Mn/M A,

Patented Mar. 18, 1930 PATENT FFECE RICHARD C. COUPLAND, OF THE UNITEDSTATES ARMY, NORFOLK, VIRGINIA SYNCI-IRONIZED CONTROL SYSTEM FOR MACHINEGUNS Original application led August 1, 1327, Serial No. 209,893.

Divided and this application filed November Serial No. 317,553.

(GRANTED UNDER THE ACT F MARCH 3, 1883, AS AMENDED APRIL 30, 1928; 31700. G. 757) The invention described herein may be manufactured and usedby or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the paymentto me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to a synchronized control system for machine gunswhich will permit the gun to be fired between the blades of a rotatingpropeller and is a division of copending application, Serial 209,893,filed August 1, 1927.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a compact impulsegenerator for a gun control assembly which provides for theinterchangeable attachment of a mechanical or electrical control.

The invention further aims to provide an electrical control, includingan electrically actuated plunger in which complete adjustment of theplunger may be had.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention resides inthe novel arrangement and combination of parts and in the details ofconstruction hereinafter described and claimed, it being` understoodthat changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosedmay be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing fromthe spirit of the invent-ion.

A practical embodiment of the invention 3o is illustrated in theaccompanying drawing,

wherein Fig. 1 is a longitudinal, sectional view of a gun controlassembly showing an application of a mechanical control unit for theimpulse generator;

Fig. 2 is a similar view, showing an application of an electrical unit.

Referring to the drawing by characters of reference:

There is shown in Fig. 1 a gun control assembly which consists of animpulse generator A controlled by an operating mechanism B and connectedto a trigger motor C by means of an impulse cable and cable housing D.

The impulse generator unit is arranged to constitute a compact integralpart of the engine synchronized during or after assembly thereof andconsists of a housing 5 in which is mounted a driving shaft 6, receivingits energy from the engine and rot-ating at a speed to give a camimpulse for each blade of the propeller. The shaft carries a cam 7arranged to engage the fo'ot 8 of a cam follower 9 which is parallel tothe cam shaft. Threaded in the head ofthe follower is a plug 10 in whichis secured the impulse cable 11 leading to the trigger motor C andsheathed in a suitable tube 12.

The operating mechanism for controlling the cam follower 9 comprises aspringpressed plunger 13 disposed in the housing 5 above the cam shaftand arranged to enter a recess 14: in the follower for the purpose ofholding the follower in inoperative position clear of the cam 7. Whenthis condition obtains, the trigger motor is inactive and the trigger 15will be held by the cam 16 in the inward position, as shown in Fig. 2where it is unavailable to actuate the scar slide 17 of the gun.

The withdrawal and retention of the plunger 13 is accomplished by meansof a cable 18 which is secured to a hand lever 19. The socket member 20in which the sheath 21 on the cable 18 is anchored is threaded as at 22to the housing 5 and establishes a seat for the plunger spring' 23 whichforces the plunger into the recess 14 of the follower.

In Fig. 2 an electrical control unit for the impulse generatorinterchangeability replaces the mechanical control unit of Fig. 1. Thisunit consists of a casingl 24, having a threaded neck 25 for attachmentto the housing 5 and inclosing a coil 26 which when energized retracts aplunger 27 from engagement with the cam follower 9. Adjustment of theplunger is provided by threading the plunger head 28 on the stem 29 ofthe plunger and also by a look nut 30 on the stem which confines aplunger spring 31 seated in the hollow neck 25 of the casing.

The coil is energized by a suitable source of electrical current, notshown, through any desired circuit closing means, such as, for example,the contact button 32 which, when compressed, engages the contacts 33and coin-` pletes the circuit in a well-known manner. The buttonillustrated is of the thumb operated type to be used on an airplanecontrol stick, there being tvvo buttons mounted side by side for therespective control of a right or left hand gun.

I claim:

1. An impulse generator for sychronizing gearv7 including a housinghaving means for the interchangeable attachment of either mechanical orelectrical control.

2. An impulse generator embodying an impulse transmitting member and aplunger for holding said member inoperative including means foradjusting said plunger.

RICHARD C. COUPLAND.

